Journeys in Suburbia: Downtown San Jose--Part 8: Discovery Meadow

Downtown
The R2-D2 building, the last hanging ground in California, and a statue that looks like feces.

Scale: ***** Must Visit
          ****   Worth Detouring
          ***     If in the Area
          **       May be Worth Visiting-Once
          *         Interest only

8. Discovery Meadow****
Discovery Meadow is a large park at the Southwest end of Downtown San Jose.  The park is dominated by the Children's Discovery Museum, an extremely popular and known as one of the best children's museum in the United States. The Guadalupe Trail continues past it, and some interesting public art round out the area.  

A. Monopoly in the Park****

At 86.4 m^2, this is the largest Monopoly Board in the world. For $300, you can don giant token hats, roll dice, and play the game:  http://www.monopolyinthepark.com/

Immediately beside it is:
 
B. Parade of Animals**

Animal sculptures by Michael Boris

As you continue down the lawn, the big purple centerpiece of Discovery Meadow looms before you.

C. Children's Discovery Museum *****

One of the top children's museums in the United States,  the Discovery Museum is filled with fun things for children about age 5-14, including a complete ambulance, fire truck, and Wells Fargo Stagecoach. A mammoth skeleton, bubbles, sound, and water exhibits, a literal sandbox, and other activities round out this place.  Cost is reasonable at $12/person, $11 seniors.

Backtracking towards San Carlos Avenue is the performance art theater.

D. Center for Preforming Arts**

The main theater of San Jose, this is an odd 1970s relic of a circle. 




The Guadalupe Trail works its way under HWY 87, then descends into a wooded area before reaching Discovery Meadow.  This area is quite nice to walk through, especially on a sunny spring day.